An improved Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction with the aid of in situ generated PdNPs: evidence for enhancing effect with biphasic system

We present here an improved Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling in WERSA (Water Extract of Rice Straw Ash). We found that, although the reaction can be run in neat water, use of alcoholic co-solvent dramatically enhances the yield and generates in situ PdNPs during the reaction. The PdNPs were characterized by TEM and powder XRD analysis. The rice straw ash was characterized by EDX, Flame photometry, and Ion-Exchange chromatography to reveal a broad range of active metal species. The chemical analysis reports of ash showed the presence of oxides of K, Na, and Ca, which probably in the presence of water produces the corresponding hydroxides responsible for the basicity. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.